Motiti Island was the door opener for many a pilot over the years. Early starts, the constant barrage of phone calls, crosswinds and wind shear all became standard parts of our day. Paul Ensor stood alongside pilots such as Craig Larsen, Myles Durrant, Adam Robinson, Alex Hilbron, Cole Mossman, Jayden Mossman and PJ Sanson to name a few. All would go on to achieve great things in aviation. The challenges of Motiti Island flying provided a training ground that produced well capable pilots that would be sort after by the aviation community.
Paul’s connections with Motiti Island go back to the very early days, and some of his exploits to the island resulted in some interesting sagas. One of the more famous being the time he was flying his microlight back after a days’ fishing off the rocks, prior to gaining his commercial pilot licence. Unfortunately, Paul suffered a fuel blockage in one of his fuel lines and couldn’t restart the engine when it cut out…about 500 metres off the coast.
After ditching the stricken craft, he spent the next hour in the water with boats trying to locate him as darkness approached. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending with the only casualty being the 20-pound snapper that Paul had to abandon with the microlight, as it sunk gently to the bottom.
The world of general aviation, or GA as it is affectionately known, is challenging and tightly regulated. When Paul decided to set up Island Air and provide the island with a regular island service with scheduled flights, it was a decision that us other pilots all admired but considered brave.
Running a scheduled air service to a remote community such as this integrates you into the lives of the local residents. You become their connection with the mainland. The day in the life of a Motiti pilot sees them organising freight and passenger pick up and drop offs for the locals. This could mean coordinating the logistics of getting 100 people to the island for a Tangi, or taking a drive to the liquor store to restock beer and cigarettes to some unfortunate sole who has run out.
After 20 years of service Paul’s love of the Island and its people still shines through. He knows everyone by their first name and is committed to continuing the service he has built up. The drone of a Cessna 206 or 172 grinding its way out to the island laden with supplies looks set to continue well into the future. With Motiti lodge gaining traction and set to increase visitors to the island and the maturity of the avocado orchards seeing more activity, Paul can expect some busy times ahead.
By John Martin
“I write for this magazine to compliment Island Air for a job well done! And I write for this magazine because it is the best in town!”
